Ilorin, July 18, 2025
A Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has handed jail sentences to nine people—including 31-year-old gospel singer Moses Otitoju—for cybercrime, conspiracy, and misappropriation of funds, following prosecutions by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.
Who Were Sentenced & Their Terms
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Moses Otitoju of Ijumu LGA, Kogi State, was convicted for retaining ₦8.4 million obtained via criminal activity and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment without an option of fine, by Justice Abimbola Awogboro.
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Ayodele Joseph was imprisoned for 8 months, with forfeiture of his Techno 19 smartphone.
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Adeoye Joseph received an 8-month sentence; he also forfeited $220, an iPhone 13, and a Techno Pop 9.
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Abubakar Aliyu Abdulmalik got 6 months imprisonment, plus forfeiture of his iPhone 16 and Samsung S10.
The EFCC legal team, led by Aliyu Adebayo, Sesan Ola, Rashidat Alao, and Mustapha Kaigama, presented bank statements, recovered pleadings, and electronic evidence as part of the prosecution.
See photos of the criminals below.
Related Convictions
Separate cases tried at the Kwara State High Court by Justices Haleema Saleeman and Sulaiman Akanbi resulted in the following convictions:
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Abdulkadir Taofeek: 3 years imprisonment (or ₦500,000 fine), forfeited ₦800,000, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and a Samsung phone.
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Emeka Oluwatobi Achi, Isaac Babalola Oluwafemi, and Afolabi Faith Olatoye: each sentenced to 6 months imprisonment (or ₦100,000 fine), plus restitution orders—Emeka must repay ₦3.35 million within 3 months and report fortnightly to EFCC with his parents until repayment is complete.
Why This Matters
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EFCC’s Stringent Anti-Cybercrime Stance: The convictions underscore the agency's aggressive pursuit of financial crime, especially cyber-enabled frauds that often hide behind seemingly legitimate personas like entertainers.
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Deterrence Through Consequence: Jail terms without fine options—and the forfeiture of luxury devices and illicit gains—reinforce the serious legal risks associated with financial crimes.
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Broader Crackdown Trend: This wave of convictions in Kwara aligns with recent efforts across Nigeria, such as the EFCC’s July 15 convictions of five internet fraudsters in Ilorin for impersonating victims and defrauding via digital platforms.
What to Watch
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Appeals: Whether any of the convicts will seek to challenge their sentences.
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Financial Reclamation: EFCC’s effectiveness in recovering forfeited assets and returning misappropriated funds to rightful owners or the treasury.
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Continued Prosecutions: Expect more cybercrime trials as EFCC intensifies anti-fraud efforts, particularly targeting operations masquerading as artists or tech professionals.
These convictions mark another milestone in Nigeria's fight against cyber-enabled fraud, sending a strong signal that exploiting digital platforms to defraud is a high-stakes gamble with severe legal repercussions.
